Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard will look to pick up some of the scoring output for the Pacers. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
Get Caught Up
2024-25 Record: 50-32 (4th in East, lost in NBA Finals)
The Pacers dreamed about last season’s run for decades. It became reality – for the first time since 2000, they reached the NBA Finals. Things weren’t so magical when Indiana stumbled out to a 10-15 start, but the group stayed the course, and roster continuity from 2023-24 began to pay dividends.
En route to a second straight Eastern Conference Finals appearance, the Pacers knocked out the top-seeded Cavaliers in five games, dispatched a loaded Knicks squad and came within one victory of their first-ever NBA championship, completing multiple historic comebacks on the biggest stage in basketball.
Tyrese Haliburton was a walking highlight reel, establishing himself as one of the game’s most clutch players by hitting four game-winning shots in the final minute during Indy’s run. But he suffered an Achilles injury in Game 7 of the Finals, and with the guard out for all of 2025-26, there’s a star-sized hole to fill in the rotation.
Offseason
- Re-signing: Tony Bradley (team option exercised), Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman
- Additions: Jay Huff (trade)
- Draft: Kam Jones (38th pick, acquired via trade), Taelon Peter (54th pick)
- Departures: Myles Turner (free agency)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Thomas Bryant, James Johnson
Turner’s departure in free agency signaled one of the offseason’s biggest shocks. As a true franchise great – Indiana’s all-time blocks leader – he jumped to the Bucks, concluding his 10-year tenure. The team’s response was to trade for Jay Huff and re-sign Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, none of whom have been a full-time starter before.
The task of filling Haliburton’s big shoes will likely be a committee approach by Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell. Nembhard averaged career-highs in points (10.0), rebounds (3.3) and assists (5.0) in 2024-25, while McConnell remained a high-energy bench guard, averaging 9.1 points and 4.4 assists to go with 1.1 steals. Without a strong draft class or any free-agency splashes, the Pacers are trusting returning talent like Nembhard, Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin to keep them in the win column.
“I’ve really grown as a man. Basketball is one thing, but I’ve really grown up in this city.”
thank you for everything, Myles Turner 🫶 pic.twitter.com/lVU5dpwc1c
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) July 7, 2025
Myles Turner departed in free agency to join the Milwaukee Bucks, leaving as Indiana’s all-time leader in blocks while creating a hole in the rotation that the Pacers will need to work to replace.
X-factor
Pascal Siakam. He was Indiana’s only All-Star last campaign, and selected for the first time since 2022-23 while averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Without Haliburton, he projects as the squad’s leading scorer, and a return to All-NBA form could be in the cards.
The 6-foot-8 forward thrives in the mid-range, but has dramatically improved beyond the arc in recent years, putting up a career-best 38.9% from 3-point range in 2024-25. That tops his marks of 34.6% and 32.4% in 2023-24 and 2022-23, respectively.
But there’s also something to be said about the former NBA champion’s leadership. In his 1.5 seasons with Indiana, the team has never fallen short of the East Finals. His ability to rally the troops should be tested with a new-look Pacers lineup around him.
> Watch Pascal Siakam on NBA League Pass
One key question
Can James Wiseman be the player he was once touted as? If there was ever a season for the Memphis product to live up to his billing as 2020’s No. 2 overall draft pick, this would be it. Indiana’s starting center role is there for the taking. Now with his third team, Wiseman has been hunting the right opportunity for some time.
His combination of size and power always made him a natural fit to dominate the paint, but it’s his agility despite that build that turned many heads earlier in his career. Injuries have plagued him, though, and he has only played 60+ games in a season once. It’ll take time for him to get comfortable in a larger role, especially coming off an Achilles injury, but the door is open.
Fantasy Outlook from RotoWire
The team at RotoWire broke down the top fantasy options for each team in the East. Here’s how they broke down some of the best options from the Pacers:
“Haliburton was a major factor in the team’s achievements last season, and his absence will result in a significant challenge for the upcoming campaign. Nonetheless, the Pacers have the depth to confidently approach the new season, as Andrew Nembhard is expected to take on the main point-guard role, while Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, and Pascal Siakam can each provide scoring and well-rounded play within the starting lineup. The departure of Myles Turner leaves a void to be filled at the center position, where Isaiah Jackson and Tony Bradley will likely be first in line to compete for minutes.”
Key dates
- Preseason Opener: Oct. 7 at Timberwolves (8 ET, League Pass)
- Regular Season/Home Opener: Oct. 23 vs. Thunder (7:30 ET, ESPN)
- Emirates NBA Cup East Group A Play: Oct. 31 vs. Hawks (7 ET, League Pass), Nov. 21 at Cavaliers (7 ET, Prime), Nov. 26 at Raptors (7:30 ET, League Pass), Nov. 28 vs. Wizards (7:30 ET, League Pass)
- Rivals Week: Jan. 23 at Thunder (9:30 ET, Prime)
What they’re saying
Law Murray, The Athletic: “The Pacers have plenty of ballhandling options in Haliburton’s stead: Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam in the starting lineup, with T.J. McConnell off the bench. There is still plenty of depth, except at Turner’s vacated position. Huff is probably the best option to replace Turner as a 3-point shooting shot blocker. Bradley is back as a reserve center, as are two players (Wiseman, Jackson) who injured their Achilles tendons in the autumn. Rick Carlisle has enough talent to keep the Pacers afloat in the East, but this team doesn’t have much of a ceiling.” (Read More)
